Pictures of Herstmonceux Castle

a Garden or Park in the town of Herstmonceux, in the county of East Sussex

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About Herstmonceux Castle

The 15th century red brick Herstmonceux Castle with its magnificent gatehouse, was built in the romantic era when splendour and luxurious interiors where thought to be as important as military strength.

Reflected serenely in its moated waters, Herstmonceux is every inch proud testimony to England's rich historical past. It was originally built as a country home of the mid 15th century and has all the fairytale trappings of that fabled era. The building, with its arched entrance bridge spanning the moat, towers, bays and turrets, entwines together a scintillating display of Medieval English and romantic Renaissance style.

Herstmonceux is renowned for its perfectly restored Elizabethan gardens and parkland. These are a feast for everyone's eye's with sheer enchantment awaiting at every turn, be it the lily covered lakes, walled garden, or any one of the delightful woodland trails that allow for a peep of nature at her very best. A beautiful Butterfly Garden is planted with sweet scented flowers, attractive to these lovely delicate flying creatures, and there is a stunning Rose garden heady with the perfume of glorious old established blooms. Added to the glory is a lovely walk through beautiful Rhododendrons and a fragrant Herb Garden. There is statutory and old garden steps adorned with urns spilling over with superb varieties of flowers.

The castle has a long history, Roman remains have been found at the site and it is thought a property may have stood here long before Herstmonceux was built. The name Herstmonceux would appear to come from the 12th century when a Saxon lady wedded a Norman nobleman named Ingelram de Monceux. Eventually the name of the owners changed through marriage to Fiennes, a powerful house distinguished by James Fiennes who fought for Henry V at the Battle of Agincourt.

Sir Roger Fiennes, elder brother of James, began building the castle in 1441. However, because of dwindling fortunes, by the 1700's the last Lord Dacre, Earl Of Sussex was forced to sell the castle to Robert Hare who began to dismantle it for building materials for Herstmonceux Place further up the hill. The building disintegrated further and at the turn of the 20th century was almost ruinous when it was purchased by Lt.Col.Claude Lowther in 1911. Claude Lowther was largely responsible for the fact that Herstmonceux Castle remains as we see it today - the foremost English brick building to come out of the 15th century.

Between the castle's inception and coming into the ownership of Sir Paul Latham in 1929, who sold it to the Admiralty in 1946, lies a fascinating history, well worth discovering for yourself on a visit. It is now an International Study Centre attracting students from all parts of the globe. The gardens and grounds are open to the public and subject to availability visitors may take part in a guided tour of the castle, when you can delight in the wonderful architecture of the place, its history, legends and ghosts!

There is a castle gift shop and a tea-room for delicious refreshments. For those unable to join in a guided tour there is a visitor centre with artefacts and photographs from the castle, as well as information sheets.
Please see below for other recommended attractions and towns to visit near Herstmonceux Castle.

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Distances and directions shown below are approximate. For true driving distances please visit the AA Route Planner

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Recommended towns near Herstmonceux Castle

Herstmonceux, in the county of East Sussex (1.4 miles, 2.3 km, direction NW)
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Pevensey, in the county of East Sussex (3.5 miles, 5.7 km, direction S)
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Bexhill, in the county of East Sussex (6.3 miles, 10.2 km, direction E)
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Battle, in the county of East Sussex (7.1 miles, 11.4 km, direction NE)
Battle is a unique town in the county of Sussex built on the very site where William the Conqueror defeated king Harold of England and his Saxon army in 'The Battle of Hastings' in 1066.
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Wilmington, in the county of East Sussex (7.5 miles, 12.0 km, direction SW)
These days Wilmington is best known for the "Long Man" a giant carving on the north side of Windover Hill. The figure is generally thought to have first appeared in medieval times, but theories abound that it may have been there since the Iron-Age.
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Eastbourne, in the county of East Sussex (7.7 miles, 12.3 km, direction S)
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Burwash, in the county of East Sussex (9.0 miles, 14.5 km, direction N)
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Alfriston, a Picturesque Village in the county of East Sussex (9.1 miles, 14.7 km, direction SW)
Alfriston occupies a favoured position in the beautiful Cuckmere Gap and serves as a tourist village to which hoards of visitors flock to enjoy the many well preserved fine old buildings to be seen, one of the most important being the local church.
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St Leonards, in the county of East Sussex (9.7 miles, 15.5 km, direction E)
Attractive Sussex seaside resort now joined to Hastings, but initially began as an independent resort laid out by the architect James Burton in 1828.
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Friston, in the county of East Sussex (9.8 miles, 15.7 km, direction SW)
Friston is well known for its beautiful forest. Found a few miles inland from the bare ridge of the incredible rock formation of the Seven Sisters, this superb beechwood is not yet 80 years old.
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Nearby travel help

Pevensey Bay Station	(3.8 miles, 6.1 km, direction S)
Normans Bay Station	(3.9 miles, 6.3 km, direction SE)
M23 Junction 10A	(26.5 miles, 42.6 km, direction NW)
Lydd Airport	(27.0 miles, 43.4 km, direction E)
M23 Junction 10	(27.7 miles, 44.5 km, direction NW)
London Gatwick Airport	(29.7 miles, 47.8 km, direction NW)
Herstmonceux Castle to London	(48.4 miles, 77.9 km, direction NW)

Accommodation & Hotels near Herstmonceux Castle

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The Horseshoe Inn	(0.8 miles, 1.3 km)
The Corn Exchange	(3.5 miles, 5.7 km, direction W)
The Bay Hotel	(4.1 miles, 6.6 km, direction S)
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The York Hotel	(5.9 miles, 9.6 km, direction E)
Powdermills Hotel	(6.3 miles, 10.1 km, direction E)
Bay Lodge Hotel	(7.0 miles, 11.3 km, direction S)
Abbey Hotel	(7.1 miles, 11.4 km, direction NE)
The George Hotel	(7.1 miles, 11.4 km, direction NE)
Crossways Hotel	(7.1 miles, 11.4 km, direction SW)
All of our hotels are available to book online & with special discounts